LAST UPDATE | 26 Apr

SINN FÉIN LEADER Mary Lou McDonald has said conversations about the rights of trans people need to be had calmly and respectfully, while making reference to her own sister, who is a trans woman.

Last week, Sinn Féin’s health spokesperson David Cullinane apologised after he described the UK Supreme Court’s ruling that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the UK Equality Act do not include transgender women as a “common sense” judgment. 

Speaking to Patrick Kielty on the Late Late Show tonight, McDonald said that Sinn Féin’s position on the issue has not changed but that the implications of the ruling would need to be studied, particularly since it will impact Northern Ireland.

She said that the issue is not an abstract one. 

“I have a trans sibling and I love my sister,” she said.

“She’s compassionate and clever and accomplished. And she’s loved without measure and unconditionally, and I want her to live a full and authentic life, and I want that for every human being.

“I want us to live in a society where that’s possible,” she said.

McDonald also said that conversations about trans rights need to be had in “the right atmosphere”, unlike what she described as the “toxic” and hostile environment in the UK and elsewhere.

“We need to reassure each other that we’re starting from a position of respect,” she said.

Earlier today, Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin said Cullinane had done the right thing by apologising for his tweet.

Speaking to reporters today at Leinster House, Ó Broin said he has been contacted by constituents who were “very upset” by Cullinane’s comments. 

Asked by The Journal if the party needs to clarify its policies in relation to trans rights and healthcare for trans people after the comments by Cullinane and Donegal Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Ó Broin said no, “the party’s policies are the party’s policies”. 

He continued: “And David Cullinane did the right thing in removing the tweet and apologising. I’ve been contacted by quite a few constituents who are trans or family members of trans people who are very upset by it.

“Obviously, the party is doing a piece of work around further developing our policy on trans rights and trans healthcare, and the party will publish that in due course. But no, I think David, in the end, responded appropriately and I’m satisfied that the matter is now closed.” 

Sinn Féin's health spokesperson David Cullinane Rollingnews.ie Rollingnews.ie

Fellow Sinn Féin TD Pádraig Mac Lochlainn made similar comments about the ruling, telling Highland Radio that it is an “important ruling” that “does bring clarity”. 

“We’re going to have to deal with the legislation in Ireland because unfortunately, it isn’t clear,” Mac Lochlainn said. 

In the same interview, Mac Lochlainn said: “In my view, and this is a personal opinion, to me, a woman is an adult female and a man is an adult male. However, I am extremely compassionate to somebody who feels they are in the wrong body, wants to transition and [I] want to give them every right in terms of gender realignment, but we need to do it in a way that brings everybody with us and doesn’t threaten particularly women.

“You know, we look at the debate in Scotland, very divisive.

“This should not have been an issue that threatened women in general and it’s been handled terribly. So that’s my own view”. 

Padraig Mac Lochlainn The Journal The Journal

In his apology, Cullinane wrote: 

“I want to apologise for the hurt and offence that I have caused to the Trans community following a tweet I sent last night. That was never my intention. This is a complex issue for many but we need to approach it with compassion, understanding and dignity for all.”

He added: “I’m sure those in the Trans community will feel vulnerable and isolated today in the aftermath of yesterday’s judgement, and I apologise that my words added to that.”

Responding to his comments, the organisers of the Trans and Intersex Pride march in Dublin said Sinn Féin will be banned from the event this summer unless it clarifies its position.